Why is it so hard to operate under the range safety rules?

[Full Clip]

I've been to Concord -- pretty nice place.
I no longer go to Angeles down here in So Cal except on weekdays. Sat and Sun are crowded with rookies, and I don't want to be there when one of them finally makes a "serious" mistake. I was a rookie once as well, but that doesn't mean I have to suffer their company, especially the arrogant ones who argue with the range officers.
Life is too short...

[rorschach]

GET 'EM 'SMILY!!!

I kid I kid!!

[Army]

As RSO of the San Luis Obispo Sportsman Association (slosa) range, we simply do not put up with arguments on the line. Give me or my line any grief...and you are gone for the day.

If a member does it, revocation of his card is possible, with no return of any dues paid.

It's up and downrange, action open at all times off the bench, or in the racks with bolt open. In the last two years, I know of but one negligent discharge at my range, fortunately for all it went downrange safely. That person was asked to leave for the day...no return of fees.


We have a large student population here, and many of our customers are very new at firearms. When they enter the longhouse, it is pretty obvious that they need a little extra attention from me or the other RSO's...and we give it to them in spades! As soon as I get the line up and running, I head over to the tyro's to weave them tales of skills and knowledge....but then I help them where they need it, in handling, aiming, shooting, stance, reloading, and what I know about their particular firearm in operation, safety, and cleaning needs.

This brings them back again, with learned skills on range safety and protocol. They know we stress safety first, then fun.

[jtv3062]

have you seen the bullet holes in the tables and the overhang at USI it's pretty mind numbing to see those holes

[chickenfried]

I think Jackson Arms was open two days at their new spot, before they got the first hole in their ceiling.

have you seen the bullet holes in the tables and the overhang at USI it's pretty mind numbing to see those holes

[kj]

What is even harder for me to understand are the people who keep violating the range rules even after being warned directly, or after hearing the previous five warnings that others received. I was at Angeles on a Sunday (2/18). It was very crowded. There was a group of people using the concrete benches on the rifle side of the range. For three consecutive cease fires, the RO had to warn members of this party to not approach the firing line when the range was cold. Finally, at the next cease fire, the RO announces over the PA "We are going to have a contest. The next person to approach the firing benches during this cease fire will have to accompany me to the registration shack to read the range rules - out loud." I s#$t you not - two minutes after that warning, a guy from that same group (that received the previous warnings) walks up to the firing bench and starts to mess with stuff. The RO's were exercising great patience that day.

[kilword]

I shoot at USI almost every weekend...Haven't seen anything to bad lately as in rule breaking. yea the holes in the overhang make ya think. the ROs are very nice and friendly. I enjoy shootin there just gotta pay attention to some of the people and what theyre doing. HATE the new increase in ammo prices for members they're crazy! might as well goto big 5 with the prices theyre trying to push. So much for extra member discount perks.

[tenpercentfirearms]

I will tell an honest story. I grew up in Kern County where we pretty much shoot where we want, when we want. I never went to five dogs to shoot until I was like in my mid 20's somewhere.

So we go cold and a guy goes to mess with his target. My gun is open and no ammo around and I start fiddling with my scope or something. The guy goes ballistic and says step behind the line.

I simply didn't know. I am used to shooting where I want when I want and I didn't know any of these range rules. Of course I knew the rules of firearm safety and knew how to be safe, I just didn't know firing range rules. I have probably learned more about range rules online than anywhere else and I completely understand why they are the way they are after hearing stories of idiots.

I love Kern County. To shoot where you want, when you want is something that just can't be valued enough.

[xrMike]

Most of the local ranges here do not have such a regulation. At Sunnyvale Rod & Gun I specifically uncase my firearms away from the firing line, then put them on the racks or move them to the tables.

I've always done the same at Laguna Seca, and nobody's yelled at me yet. Of course, when I uncase on the picnic tables behind the line, my muzzle is always pointed in the opposite direction of the line (out over the parking lot, which is downhill, so any round going off would plow into the hillside on the other side of the road, or maybe hit a passing car on HW 68 ). Then I carry the weapon, muzzle up, to the bench.

I'd have zero tolerance for anybody sweeping me or anybody else on the range though. One polite warning, with a friendly explanation, and if they gave me any lip about it, or did it again, I'd tell them if it happened again, I'd knock them on their *** because I don't tolerate people pointing guns at me. Then I'd go to the R.O. and tell them to keep an eye on the guy.

I've never come across anybody with a 'tude though, like the guy ocabj talked about. I've made safety suggestions to maybe 2 people out of the hundreds I've come across at the range. Most shooters are friendly people. When approached with respect they respond in kind, and say, "Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't know," and it's "Hey, no problem man." and everybody feels good.

[KrazyKevy]

I wish common sense was more common.

One of the reasons why I love my range(Ironsights, Oceanside) is because they really stress safety. A guy next to me was with his son and he began loading his shotgun out of the booth. The RO quickly came in and told him not to do so. The guy was polite and said sorry. Few minutes later, he had jamming issues with his AR15 and asked for assistance. The RO looked over his rifle and saw it had no lubrication at all, and after briefly asking him about his rifle, the RO knew this person was not very knowledgeable about his firearms. Since this was infact a 2nd safety issue, they asked him to leave, but he can return another day. The guy looked upset but didnt say anything, it looked like he understood well...he packed up his things and left. Ive seen other people be warned of safety rules at this range, and when the people try and argue about it, they are instantly told to leave. Any arguement from anyone and theyre history.

My scarest experience was at American Shooting Center in Kearny Mesa. A father handed his son(looked to be 11) a rented AR15...the kid dropped the rifle and the rifle fell with the barrel pointed right at me. The RO saw this and did nothing...that was 3 years ago, and I never been back since.